Alcohol is legal, easily accessible, and socially acceptable. However, the commercials that glamorize drinking gloss over the fact that alcohol has caused more cumulative damage to people’s health, relationships, and overall quality of life than any other drug. Its harmful societal effects are wide-ranging and can result in illegal activities, irresponsible decisions, violence, and legal and financial problems. Recognizing the signs of alcohol abuse is crucial for preventing these outcomes and getting the help you need.
Alcohol Abuse Tendencies
The progression from tolerance to dependence to full-fledged alcohol addiction often happens gradually, making it challenging to recognize when drinking has crossed the line into problematic behavior. Occasionally having a beer or a glass of wine doesn’t mean you have a substance use disorder, but specific red flags can indicate a growing problem.
- Feeling the urge to drink daily.
- Craving alcohol when you are sober.
- Wanting to stop drinking but finding the habit too hard to break.
- Prioritizing drinking over other aspects of your life, such as work, family, and hobbies.
- Lying about the amount you drink or hiding the evidence to prevent others from suspecting you have a problem.
- Experiencing frequent blackouts, during which you do things you cannot remember the next day.
- Engaging in dangerous activities under the influence, such as driving drunk.
- Becoming anxious or agitated when you run out of alcohol.
- Getting defensive and changing the subject if someone suggests you might need help.
The Dangers of Alcohol Withdrawal
Addiction is a chronic disease that affects your brain’s reward system. Eventually, it becomes increasingly difficult to find joy in other activities, and you may only feel like your genuine self when you’re drinking.
The human brain is a plastic organ, which means it can reconfigure and adjust itself in response to changing circumstances. If you try to quit drinking or cut back your alcohol consumption, your brain will struggle to achieve equilibrium, resulting in withdrawal symptoms like these.
- Nausea and vomiting
- Insomnia and chronic fatigue
- Irritability
- Sensitivity to light, noise, and touch
- Anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts
If you are a long-term, heavy drinker, it is dangerous to quit cold turkey due to the risk of delirium tremens, a severe condition characterized by hallucinations, uncontrollable sweating and shaking, seizures, and heart palpitations. Delirium tremens can be life-threatening, qualifying it as a medical emergency that requires immediate attention from experienced health professionals.
Restore Meaning and Purpose to Your Life
One long-lasting stigma is that substance abuse results from inherent weaknesses or moral flaws. At Legacy Texas, we have worked hard to foster an atmosphere of camaraderie and accountability – the opposite of the isolation and guilt that characterize active addiction. Our comprehensive treatment approach gives men clarity and strength in all facets of life.
- Advanced behavioral therapies: To uncover and address underlying mental health conditions and familial influences.
- Comprehensive lifestyle changes: Fostering new skills and resilience through real-world practice.
- Community and responsibility: Building a brotherhood committed to mutual success.
Contact us today to learn how our clinical-functional integration can set you free from the self-destructive behaviors holding you back.